Training device for golfers

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for assisting in training players of golf includes a platform having two coplanar members situated on the platform, in which the first member is fixed in position on the platform and the second member may move relative to the first member. A biasing device, in the absence of an externally applied force, causes the first member and the second member to be adjacent one another. A third member, which may be removable, is located transversely of the first and second members, may receive a golf ball thereon.

TECHNICAL AREA

The invention relates to the area of training devices for various sportsand in particular to a device for training golfers, providing a means bywhich golfers are able to stabilise the lower half of their body givinga firm, secure stance for the swing to be carried out.

While the invention relates to a training device which is suitable foruse in any sport requiring hitting or pitching of the ball, forconvenience sake it will be discussed herein in terms of training forgolfers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Over the years there have been many inventions which have been devisedto teach or correct a golfer's swing. The golf swing can be broken downinto three basic phases: take-away, impact and follow through. Balanceis essential in the follow through of a golf swing and is generallyachieved with proper swing mechanics which occurs in the first twophases of the golf swing. For this to occur it is imperative that thelower part of the body be stabilised to prevent any unwanted verticalmotion.

Erroneous swing mechanics can lead to an increase incidence of injurythat is resultant from uncontrolled and misdirected shots. An incorrectbalance of weight in the lower part of the body can cause a variety oferrant shots including fat (striking ground first) and thin (strikingonly ball and no turf) shots. Other common swing faults pertinent togolfers, include right knee lateral sway, vertical motion, excessivelower body motion in the short game ie. Chipping and putting, and extralong swings.

Current devices that attempt to control the movement of the player'sbody are generally overly restrictive, complicated and inaccurate in themovement defined. The devices are designed to restrict the body movementof the player by securing or immobilising various parts of the body suchas the head, waist, shoulders, arms or legs. However, often the devicesare cumbersome and awkward including multi-strap hand or leg braces thatare uncomfortable and require a fair amount of time to adjust theirposition. In addition, whilst these may support the players and guidetheir movement, the devices hinder the development and movement ofsupporting muscles which would otherwise occur if the player were selfsupported.

The previous devices fail to provide a method whereby the swing of agolfer can be easily and conveniently controlled in a round of golf,such that the golfer can adjust the stance throughout a round of golfdepending on the characteristics of a particular golfer andenvironmental conditions such as variations in the inclination of acourse, without the need to readjust settings or positioning of thedevice.

OUTLINE OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to overcome or substantiallyameliorate the disadvantages of the prior art by providing a device forcontrolling and stabilising the body movement of a golfer in order toensure a controlled and consistent golf swing.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a means whereby thedevice provides a constant reference to which the player may return inorder to repeat the same motion.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a means forexercising to strengthen the necessary muscles which enables a player toapproximate the desired motion without the direct pressure of thedevice.

The invention provides, for use in the training of golf players, adevice having a platform and two coplanar members situated thereon,wherein the first member is fixed, and the second member may moverelative to the first member, the device having a bias means which, inthe absence of an externally applied force, causes the two members to beadjacent.

It is preferred that the second member is arranged in a manner where itis able to slide relative to the first member.

It is further preferred that the bias means which causes the members tobe adjacent in the absence of an external force is at least one springmeans.

It is further preferred that the bias means may be at least oneelasticised member.

It may be preferred that there is a third member which can be locatedtransversely of the first and second members which can receive a golfball.

In order that the invention be more readily understood we will describeby way of non limiting example a specific embodiment thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURE

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the training deviceshowing all members secured in place on the platform.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the training deviceshowing the spring mechanism which stabilises the body.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the training deviceaccording to the invention showing the underside of the device.

DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1 to 3 show a preferred embodiment of the invention as it relatesto a device for training golfers.

In this embodiment of the invention, the device comprises a platform (4)having three members (1,2,3) wherein one member is a fixed member (1),one is a sliding member (2) and the other is a removable member (3). Theplatform (4) is a rectangular frame with the dimensions of the framebeing equivalent to that of the three platform members (1,2,3) when theyare placed horizontally adjacent to each other, so that when theplatform members (1,2,3) are placed onto the platform (4) the outsideedge of the platform members (1,2,3) is in line with the edge of theframe of the platform (4).

On the lower left side of the frame (5) are provided five holes (6)spaced at even intervals apart, adapted to receive the hooks (7) ofspring members (8) and secure them to the frame. Directly above the leftside of the frame (5) sits the fixed member (1) which is permanentlyattached to the platform frame (4) and acts as a reference and supportfor the slidable member (2) to stretch away from.

The front face of the frame (9) has a handle (10) which serves as ameans for making the device portable when it is fully assembled and easyto transport with the player.

Provided on the inner side of the frame (11), is a roller track assembly(12) adapted to receive the rollers (13) which are attached to theunderside of the sliding member (2). The edge of the platform (4) itselfserves as being the end of the track (12) and consequently, as a meansfor stopping the roller(s) (13) from sliding any further.

On the right hand side of the frame (14) is an aperture (15) androtatable screw member (16) which can pass through the aperture (15) andaperture (17) provided on the side of the removable member (3) and isadapted to be tightened or loosened to secure or remove the member (3)accordingly.

The sliding member (2) is positioned in the middle of the platform lyingdirectly behind the handle (10) on the front face (9) of the platform(4). Underneath the sliding member (2) spanning vertically across thecentre of the sliding member (2) is a L-shaped strip (18), wherein anupper portion (19) of the strip (18) is fixed to the underside of themember (2) at either end. The lower portion (20) of the strip (18)extends vertically downwards from the sliding member (2) and hasprovided five holes (21) spaced at even intervals, adapted to receive ahook (7) from a spring member (8). The holes (21) are spaced such thatthey correspond with the holes (6) provided on the left side (5) of theplatform (4) when the sliding member (2) is in place.

Attached underneath the frame of the sliding member (2) are two frontroller assemblies (22) and two back roller assemblies (23). The rollerassemblies (22,23) consist of a securing member (24) fixed to the bottomof the frame oft he sliding member (2), wherein the securing member (24)has an aperture adapted to receive a bolt (26) from one side of theroller (13), with a washer and nut (28) being able to be tightened fromthe other side of the securing member (24) to secure the roller (13) inplace.

On the right side of the frame of the sliding member (2) is an aperture(29) adapted to receive a connector member (30) provided on theremovable member (3) when it is slid into place adjacent to the slidingmember (2).

The sliding member (2) is spring-loaded and is attached to the platform(4) by springs (8). The number of springs (8) may be varied to suit thephysical characteristics of the person using the device (31) whereby thegreater amount of springs (8) connected, the more tension is applied tothe device (31).

The removable member (3) has two rectangular rods (32) fixed to theunderside of its frame and two L-shaped stand members (33) fixedunderneath the right side of its frame. The height of the rods (32) anddownwardly protruding side (34) of the stand members (33) are the sameas that of the platform (4) so that when it is removed and placedhorizontally to lie adjacent to the front face (9) of the platform (4),the removable member (3) will be at the same height as rest of theplatform (4) so that, if a player is standing on the device (31) andpractising their swing in a real situation, there is a place for a ballto be place thereon. Positioning of the ball and guiding of the swingmay aided by outlines provided on the surface of the members (1,2,3).

Situated on the left side of the frame of the removable member (3) is around connector member (30) which protrudes outwardly from the side ofthe frame and slides into the receiving aperture (29) in the slidingmember (2) when the two members (2,3) are aligned vertically adjacent toeach other in the platform assembly (4).

The surface (35) of the members (1,2,3) is designed to beinterchangeable such that, a person can choose which material is mostcomfortable to them as some people may prefer a harder or softersurface. Accordingly, a surface made from marine carpet, golf matting,or rubber or any other suitable material may be used.

In practice, the removable member (3) is taken and placed in front ofthe platform to serve as a means for placing the ball thereon so thatthe ball may be hit. The player then stands on the platform (4), havingthe fixed member (1) a and sliding member (2) in place, facing towardthe front so that one foot is positioned on the fixed member (1), andthe other foot is positioned on the sliding member (2). The player thenslides the sliding member (2) across, an action which immediatelytriggers a reaction within the central nervous system, and sends intoeffect a particular motor pattern to stabilise the lower half of thebody that is moving.

The correct stance produced as a result of this reaction mechanism is infact the ideal stance to be adopted when conducting a golf swing. Thelower body is firmly stabilised to restrict any wobbling in the top halfof the body so that the player can concentrate his focus of maintaininga controlled and accurate swing throughout the shot. The device (31)makes you hold this stance because if you do not the sliding member (2)will spring back and you will fall over.

The device (31) further provides a constant reference to which theplayer may return in order to repeat the same motion. This makes thedevice (31) appropriate as a teaching device and also as an exercisedevice.

The device (31) can also be used for exercises which work on the muscleswhich obtain that stability in order to stop the initial instabilitythat is experienced when the stance is first taken so that eventuallythe player will be able to step out onto the course and automaticallyadopt that secure and controlled stance without any training aids. Inaddition, the device is also capable of accommodating left or rightswing players.

Whilst we have described herein a specific embodiment of the inventionit is to be understood that variations and modifications in this can bemade without departing from the scope thereof.

1-8. (canceled)
 9. An apparatus for assisting in training players ofgolf, comprising: a platform; a first member and a second membercoplanar to one another on said platform with said first member beingfixed in position and said second member movable on said platformrelative to said first member; and, means for biasing said second memberto be adjacent said first member, absent an externally applied forcecausing said second member to not be adjacent said first member.
 10. Theapparatus for assisting in training players of golf according to claim9, wherein said second member is movable on said platform relative tosaid first member via sliding means.
 11. The apparatus for assisting intraining players of golf according to claim 9, wherein said means forbiasing said second member to be adjacent said first member includes atleast one spring.
 12. The apparatus for assisting in training players ofgolf according to claim 9, wherein said means for biasing said secondmember to be adjacent said first member includes at least oneelasticized member.
 13. The apparatus for assisting in training playersof golf according to claim 9, wherein said second member is movable onsaid platform relative to said first member via a roller track assembly.14. The apparatus for assisting in training players of golf according toclaim 9, further comprising a third member located transversely of saidfirst member and said second member and capable of receiving a golf ballthereon.
 15. The apparatus for assisting in training players of golfaccording to claim 14, wherein said third member is removable.
 16. Theapparatus for assisting in training players of golf according to claim14, wherein said first member, said second member and said third membereach have a removable surface with each said removable surface beinginterchangeable with one another.